Slicing machine



March 9, 1937. c. T. WALTER SLICING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 15 18 10 ll 25 I 7 9 (fidz'ies J. Miter INVENTOR ATTORNEY WIT/7583 March 9, 1937. T. WALTER 2,073,032

' SLICING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Cbar/es J. Walter INVENTOR M ATTORNEY March 9, 1937. c. T. WALTER 2,073,082

sucme MACHINE Filed Nov. 29, 1935 4'Sheets-She'et 3.

U IIIIIIII INVENTOR W C, I

ATTORNEY March 9, 1937. c. T. WALTER 2,073,082

SLICING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 A N E Cfiarleo Z Wider INVENTOR W ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 9, 1937 smomc MACHINE Charles T. Walter, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Industrial Products Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application November 29, 1935, Serial No. 51,995

28' Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in slicing machines.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my application entitled "Slicing machine, Serial No. 619,255, filed June 25, 1932.

"It is one of the objects of this invention to provide means for arranging cut slices in attractive groups for wrapping and for conveying the groups of cutslices from the slicing knife.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for imparting an accelerated movement to uniform groups of cut slices at regular intervals.

Another object of this invention is to provide a slice transfer means having inclined slice supporting surfaces so that the position of the slices cut and deposited on a conveyor in overlapping relationship will not be disturbed in the rapid transfer of a group of slices from one portion of the conveyor to another.

Another object of this invention is to provide a clamping means operable with a slice transfer means having inclined slice supporting surfaces for positively holding a group of slices in overlapping relationship during the rapid movement of the transfer means.

Another object of this invention is to provide novel conveying means in association with a meat slicing machine having slow moving conveying elements and fast moving conveying elements in which cut slices are deposited on the s'low moving conveying elements in overlapping relationship and specified groups thereof are automatically transferred to the fast moving conveying elements.

Other objects of this invention will be apparent from the description and claims which follow.

Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals designate similar elements.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a slicing machine illustrating one embodiment of my conveyor and transfer mechanism.

Figure 2 is a plan view partly in section of one end of the conveyor and transfer mechanism illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the transfer mechanism and clamping means shown in Figure 1.,

Figure 4 is an end elevation partly in section of the transfer. mechanism and clamping means as illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 5 illustrates another embodiment of my invention utilizing my novel transfer mechanism 5 and clamping means in association with a con- -moving conveying elements.

veying means having slowmovlng and fast moving conveying elements.

Figure 6 is a plan view of Figure 5.

Figure 7 illustrates a further embodiment of my invention utilizing my novel transfer mechanism and clamping means in association with a conveying means having slow moving and fast Figure 8 is a plan view of Figure '7.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 in the drawings, l designates a slicing machine frame of any desired construction. Uprights 2 connected by horizontal bars 3 are mounted upon one end ofv frame I and form the frame of a magazine 4, more particularly described and claimed in my Patent No. 1,973,919,

issued September 18, 1934, entitled Feeding device.

Magazine 4 is provided with vertically opposed endless conveyors for conveying slabs of bacon 5 downwardly to successively deposit them upon endless conveyor 6, by which the slabs are fed between endless conveyors l and 8 to cutting knife 9. The vertical conveyors of magazine 4 are driven by motor l0 connected by spur gearing l l' with speed changer l2, which speed changer is connected by chain or belt l3 and suitable pulleys l4 and IS with transverse shaft l6 connected by bevelled gearing I1 with shaft l8.-

Knife 9, preferably of the rotary type, is mounted on shaft l9 journaled-in suitable bearings of the frame of the machine, which shaft I9 is connected by chain or belt 20 and suitable pulleys with electric motor 2|. Motor 2| also serves to drive feeding conveyor 8 by means of belt or chain 22 connected by suitable gearing with shaft l9. Conveyor 1 operates to hold the slab in contact with conveyor 8 and may be positively driven or it may receive its motion through the engaged feed mechanism operates to drop the next slab of bacon in position on conveyor 6.

Slices cut from the slab of bacon passing beneath knife 9 fall in overlapping relationship upon endless conveyor 26, as clearly illustrated in Figure 9 of the drawings. Conveyor 26 comprises a series of spaced conveyor elements 21, consisting'of narrow belts or chains arranged on sprocket wheels 26 connected by suitable gearing 6 with conveyor 8. Conveyor elements 21 Moonveyor 26 operate continuously and at a uniform speed when the slicing machine is in operation.

Groups of slices of a predetermined number are spaced on conveyor 26 without stopping conveyor 10 26 or without in any way interfering with the uniform movement of the same by means of a transfer mechanism operative between conveyor elements 21. When a group of slices of a predetermined number has been deposited on conveyor 26, the group is lifted from the conveyor. 26 by transfer mechanism hereinafter described and moved rapidly forward at an accelerated speed greater than the speed of conveyor 26 and redeposited at a suitable distance from that portion of the conveyor previously occupied by said group. The spacing of groups of slices serves to facilitate convenient wrapping and counting of the slices. The transfer mechanism comprises a fork member composed of a series of inverted L-shaped plates 29 interleaved with and normally positioned below conveyor elements 21 of conveyor 26. Plates 29 are mounted on rods 30 and 3| carried by links 32. 'Links 32 are provided with integral upwardly extending arms 33 as illustrated in 3 Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings and the ends of rods 39 and 3|whlch pierce the links 32 and arms 33 are threaded for the reception of nuts 34 and 94a.

Plates 29 are spaced apart byalternating spacing elements or collars 35 arranged on rods 30 and 3|. The upper portions of plates 29 are provided with a series of inclined surfaces 36 adapted to receive and support the individual slices of a group so that the transfer of a group of slices from one portion of conveyor 26 to another may be accomplished without disturbing the prearrangement of the slices.

A' series of rods 31 constituting a clamping means in operative relation with plates 29 extend from shaft 38 in spaced relation with plates 29. Shaft 38 is journaled in suitable bearings 39 at the upper ends of arms 33 of links 32 and is provided at one end with crank arm 40 pivotally connected at its outer end to the upper end of rod 4 I. Rod 4| is connected at its lower end to leaf spring 43 by means of pivot 42 operative in yoke 44 and eye 45 whereby when the links 32 and plates 29 are moved upwardly by means hereinafter described, rods 31 will simultaneously move downwardly and firmly clamp the group of bacon slices upon the support formed by plates 29. Rods 31 will maintain the individual slices in their proper pre-arrangement during the transfer of the group from one portion of conveyor 26 to another. Spring 43 is suitably mounted on the frame of the machine. I

Plates 29 are horizontally and vertically movable by means of a parallel motion device comprising the said upper links 32, lbwer links 46 and side links 41 and 48 arranged. in pairs and connected by upper and lower pivot rods 49 and 5,9 to the adjacent ends of upper and lower links 32 and 46.

Links 41 are provided with lower extensions 5| pivotally mounted at 53 in brackets 52. Links 48 are also providedwith lower extensions 54, which extensions are connected by shaft 55, upon which is mounted roller 56 arranged to run on pivoted track 51. Track 51 is normally arranged 7 in a horizontal position pivoted at one end at 56 to bracket 59 and provided at the opposite end r by plates 29 through the linkage mechanism will periodically lift groups of bacon slices from conveyor 26 and redeposit them.

Forward movement of the parallel motion device is imparted through rotary cam 16 mounted on shaft 64, which cam is provided with lobe 66 adapted to engage roller 66 mounted on shaft 61. Shaft 61 is supported in ears or enlargements 68 integral with extensions 6| of links 41.

Cams 6| and 16 are synchronized such that plates 29 through the actions of lobes 63 and 66 in engagement with rollers 60 and 66 will, first, lift a-group of bacon slices from conveyor 26; second, rapidly move the group forwardly in relation to conveyor; 26; third, redeposit the group of slices upon conveyor 26 and; fourth, return to its normal position for transfer of the succeeding group of slices on conveyor 26, each step of plates 29 being accomplished in succession.

The free end of pivoted track 51 is forked or bifurcated to receive roller 60, maintained by gravity in contact with rotating cam 6|. Roller 56 is partially maintained in engagement with track 51 by gravity and partially by the action of coil spring 69 arranged between eyes 19 and 1| integral with links 32 and 41. Roller 66 is maintained in engagement with cam 16 by coil spring 12 extending between eyes 13 and 14 of links 41 and bracket 15 mounted on the frame of the machine. One or more of each of springs 69 and 12 may, of course, be employed.

Cams 6| and 16 may be connected by any suitable gearing with endless conveyor 26 or otherwise driven in synchronism with knife 9 such that the cams will operate when a predetermined number of slices have been cut to form a group.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings, conveyor 26 is composed of two groups of spaced alternating conveying elements 21 and 11, elements 21 comprising a slow moving group and elements 11 a fast moving group.

Conveying elements 21 and 11 are respectively arranged at one end on idler pulleys 18 and 19 rotatably mounted on shaft and, at the opposite end, on drive pulleys 8| and 82, fixedly secured to shaft 83. The varying speeds of conveying elements 21 and 11 are accomplished by merns of the varying diameters of pulleys 8| and 82, pulleys 82 in this instance being the larger.

Pulleys 19 are substantially smaller than pulleys 18 such that fast moving conveying elements 11 at the slice receiving end of conveyor 26 will travel at a plane below slice receiving conveying elements 21. Conveying elements 11 are preferably maintained below conveying elements 21 a distance indicated by the area A sufficient for the assemblage of a group of a desired number of slices.

Conveying elementsv 11 are elevated above conveying elements 21 by means of idler pulleys 94 mounted on shaft 65, suitably positioned so that conveylng elements 11 will intersect the plane of conveying elements 21 between the areas indicated by the letters A and 13" and such that shaft will clear the area B" to permit necessary movement of plates 29 without, interference therewith.

Drive shaft 83 may be driven by an electric motor or other source of power not shown such 35 wheels as and s1, and as and as.

that conveying elements 21 will travel in synchronism with conveyor 8.

In operation. the'cut slices of slab I passing beneath knife 8 are delivered in overlapping relationship to conveying elements 21 of conveyor 26.

when a group of a specified number of slices has been deposited on conveyor 21, plates 28, due tothe operation of the linkage mechanism hereinbefore described, will lift the group of slices from 10 conveying elements 2'! and, at an accelerated rate of speed, carry it forwardly in relation to the movement of conveyor 26 and redeposit the group of slices on conveying elements 11, whence the group ofslices will be rapidly carried to an operator for packaging or other handling.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings, I have made a further showing of conveyor 26 composed of slow moving conveying elements 21 and fast moving conveying elements 86, in which the conveying surfaces are maintained at a constant level. Conveying elements 21 are arranged on pulleys 81 and 88, respectively mounted on shafts-89 and 98, while conveying elements 86 are arranged on 25 pulleys 9| and 92, respectively mounted on shafts 98' and 83. Pulleys 81 may be securely mounted on shaft 88. Pulleys 88 are secured to and driven by shaft 98, while pulleys 9| are rotatably mounted on shaft 9|), the pulleys 9| being spaced from pulleys 88 by means of collars lill on shaft 98. Conveying elements 86 are driven by pulleys 92, securely mounted on shaft 93;

Shafts 90 and 93 are driven by belts or chains 94 and 95, respectively arranged on sprocket Sprocket wheels 91 and 99 are rotated on drive shaft I88,

driven by an electric motor or other source of power not shown. Sprocket wheels 96 and 98 are of equal diameters while sprocket wheel 91 is'of substantially less diameter than sprocket wheel 99, by which the varying speeds of conveying elements 21 and 86 are manifest. Conveying elements 2! are suitably geared to operate in synchronism with conveyor 8.

45 In this embodiment, the plates 29 are reversed such that the vertical portions thereof will be closely adjacent shaft 89 with the horizontal portions extending in the direction of movement of conveyor 26. It will be understood that the 50 position of plates 29 as shown in Figure '7 of the drawings is not peculiar to this particular embodiment as such structure is equally operable with the other embodiments hereinbefore described, the purpose of reversing plates 29 in this 55 embodiment being merely to provide means for clearing shaft 98 during the operation of the transfer mechanism.

In operation, cut slices of slabs 5 passing beneath knife 9 are deposited upon conveying ele- 60 ments 2'! in overlapping relationship. When a group containing a specified number of slices has been deposited on conveying elements 21, plates 29, due to the operation of linkage mechanism hereinbefore described, will periodically lift successive groups above conveying elements 21 and,

at an accelerated rate of speed, carry them for- Q 7 for slicing machines comprising conveying means including a series of spaced narrow chains arranged to receive slices cut by a knife, a support normally located below the slices deposited by the knife on the conveying means and including -a plurality of slice supporting members interleaved with the narrow chains ,and provided with a plurality of inclined slice receiving surfaces arranged to support the slices in overlapped relation while a group of slices is elevated above the conveying means, means for moving the support upwardly and downwardly to elevate a group of slices above the conveying means and means for moving the support at an accelerated speed from one portion 1 of the conveying means to another portion there- ,for slicing machines comprising conveying means including a series of spaced narrow chains arranged to receive slices cut by a knife, a support normally located below the slices deposited by the knife on the conveying means and including a plurality of slice supporting members interleaved with the narrow chains and arranged to support the slices in overlapped relation while a group of slices is elevated above the conveying means, means for moving the support upwardly and downwardly to elevate a group of slices above the conveying means and means for moving the.

support at an accelerated speed from one portion of the conveying means to another portion thereof to redeposit the group of slices on the conveying means at a point spaced from the knife, an oscillatory clamping member movable with the said support, and means for automatically operating the clamping member to move the same downwardly to clamp the slices on the supporting members when the group is elevated above the conveying means and to move the I clamping member upwardly to release the slices when the group is redeposited on the conveying means.

3. A slice receiving and conveying mechanism for slicing machines comprising conveying means including a series of spacednarrow chains arranged to receive slices cut by a knife, a support normally located below the slices deposited by the knife on the conveying means and including a plurality of slice supporting members interleaved with the narrow chains and arranged to support the slices in overlapped relation while a group of slices is elevated above the conveying means, means for moving the support upwardly and downwardly to elevate a group of slices above the conveying means, and means for moving the support at an accelerated speed. from one portion of the conveying means to another portion thereof to redeposit the group of slices on the conveying means at a point spaced from the ,knife, a pivoted clamping member carried by the support and composed of spaced rods movable downwardly and upwardly to engage and release the slices, a crank element connected with the clamping member anda spring mounted on a relatiyely fixed portion of the machine and connected with the crank element for effecting a yielding engagement of the clamping member with the slices.

4. A slice receiving and conveying mechanism for slicing machines comprising conveying means 5 including a series of spaced narrow chains arranged to receive slices cut by a knife, means for moving a group of slices at an accelerated speed from one portion of the conveying means to another. in the direction f the movement of the 10 conveying means for redepositing the group of,

slices at a point spaced from the knife, said group moving means including a parallel motion device having links movable backwardly and forwardly and upwardly and downwardly respectively, slice supporting plates carried by the parallel motion device and interleaved with the spaced chains of the conveying means and movable upwardly and downwardly to lift the 'group of slices from the conveying means and carry them forwardly and redeposit the group of slices upon the conveying means, and means comprising rotating cams for moving the links of the parallel motion device upwardly and downwardly and backwardly and forwardly.

5. A slice receiving and conveying mechanism for slicing machines comprising conveying means including a series of spaced narrow chains arranged to receive slices cut by a knife, means for moving a group of slices at an accelerated speed 0 from one portion of the conveying means to another in the direction of the movement of the conveying means for redepositing the group of slices at a point spaced from the knife, saidgroup moving means comprising a parallel motion device having spaced upper and lower horizontal links and spaced vertical links connecting the ends of the horizontal links, the vertical links at one end of the horizontal links being Provided with a lower extension pivotally mounted on a relatively fixed portion of the machine to permit the parallel motion device to move backwardly and forwardly, a movable track receiving the vertical link at the other end of the horizontal links, a supporting element carried by the parallel motion device and composed of sections interleaved with the spaced chains of the conveying ,means and adapted to lift a group of slices from the conveying means and carry the same forwardly and redeposit the group on the conveying means, a rotating cam arranged to elevate the track for effecting an upward movement of the parallel motion device and means for effecting a backward and forward movement of the parallel motion device including a rotating cam engaging the pivotally mounted vertical link. 6. A slice receiving and conveying mechanism for slicing machines comprising conveying means including a series of spaced narrow chains arranged to receive slices cut by a knife, means for moving 'a group of slices at an' accelerated speed from one portion of the conveying means to another in the direction of the movement of the conveying means for redepositing the group of slices at a point spaced from the knife, said group moving means including a parallel motion device composed of spaced upper and lower horizontal links arranged in pairs and spaced vertical links arranged in pairs, said device being pivotally mounted at one end at one pair of vertical links for backward and forward movement, a pivoted track receiving the other end of said device and movable upwardly and downwardly, a supporting element composed of spaced plates i t rleaved with the narrow spaced chains of the conveying means and mounted between and carried by the upper horizontal links and movable upwardly and downwardly to elevate a group of slices above the conveying means and to redeposit the group of slices upon the conveying means and means for eflecting upward and downward and backward and forward movement of the parallel motion device including rotating cams engaging the pivoted track and the pivotally mounted vertical links.

'I. -A slice receiving and conveying mechanism for slicing machines comprising conveying means including a series of spaced narrow chains arranged to receive slides out by a knife, means for moving a group of slices at an accelerated speed from one portion of the conveying means to another in the direction of the movement 'of the conveying means for redepositing the group of slices at a point spaced from the knife, said group moving means including a parallel motion device composed of spaced upper and lower horizontal links arranged in pairs and spaced vertical links arranged in pairs, said device being pivotally mounted at one end at one pair of vertical links for backward and forward movement, a pivoted track receiving the other end of said device and movable upwardly and downwardly, a supporting element composed of spaced plates interleaved with the narrow spaced chains of the conveying means and mounted between and carried by the upper horizontal links and movable upwardly and downwardly to elevate a group of slices above the conveying means to redeposit the group of slices upon the conveying means and means for effecting upward and downward and backward and forward movement of the parallel motion device including rotating cams engaging the pivoted track and the pivotally mounted vertical links, an oscillatory clamping member carried by the parallel motion device and located above the conveying means for clamping the slices upon the supporting element when a group of slices is elevated above the conveying means and means for connecting the clamping device with a relatively fixed portion of the machine for automatically actuating the clamping device during movement of the parallel motion device.

8. A slice receiving and conveying mechanismfor slicing machines comprising conveying means including a series of spaced narrow chains arranged to receive slices cut by a knife, means for moving a group of slices at an accelerated speed from one portion of the conveying means to another in the direction of the movement of the conveying means for redepositing the group of slices at a point spaced from the knife, said group moving means including a parallel motion device composed of spaced upper and lower horizontal links arranged in pairs and spaced vertical links arranged in pairs, said device being pivotally mountedat one end at one pair of vertical links for backward and forward movement, a pivoted track receiving the other end of said device and movable upwardly and downwardly, a supporting element composed of spaced plates interleaved with the narrow spaced chains of the conveying means and mounted between and carried by the upper horizontal links and movable upwardly and downwardly to elevate a group of slices above the conveying means and to redeposit the group of slices upon the conveying means and means for effecting upward and downward and backward and forward movement of the parallel motion device including rotating cams engaging the pivoted track and the pivotally mounted vertical links, a clamping device pivotally mounted on the parallel motion device andlocated above the conveying means for clamping the slices upon the supporting element when a group of slices is elevated above the conveying means, a crank element connected with the clamping device and means for connecting the crank element with a relatively fixed portion of the machine whereby the clamping device will be automatically operated by the movements of the parallel motion device.

9. A slice receiving and conveying mechanism for slicing machines comprising conveying means arranged to receive slices cut by a knife, a supportlnormally located below the slices cut by the knife and deposited on the. conveying means,

means for moving the support upwardly for lifting a group of slices from the conveying means,

means for moving the said support in the direction of movement of the conveying means at a greater speed than the same, means for moving the support downwardly to redeposit the group of slices at a point spaced from the place where the slices are received by the said conveying means, slice clamping means carried by the support and means for moving the slice clamping means toward and from the support to clamp the group of slices upon the support during the forward movement thereof to maintain the slices in a predetermined position upon the support and to move theslice clamping means away from the support to release the group of slices when the same are redeposited by the downward movement of the support.

10. A slice receiving and conveying mechanism for slicing machines comprising conveying means arranged to receive slices cut by a knife, a support normally located below the slices cut by the knife and deposited on the conveying means, means for moving the support upwardly for lifting a group of slices from the conveying means, means for moving the said support in the direction of movement of the conveying means at a greater speed than the same, means. for moving the support downwardly to redeposit the group of slices at a point spaced from the place where the slices are received by the said conveying means, a slice clamping member movable toward and from the support for clamping the group of slices upon the support during the forward movement thereof to maintain the slices in a predetermined position and to release the slices when the same are redeposited and means for actuating the slice clamping member.

11. In a slice receiving and conveying mechanism for slicing machines including conveying ried by said transfer mechanism comprising.

ments transfer mechanism operable between the conveying elements of said conveyors for transferring groupsof cut slices from said slow mov ing conveyor to said fast moving conveyor and drive means for said conveyors and said transfer mechanism, a slice clamping means carried by said transfer mechanism for maintaining the cut slices in prearranged relationship during transfer and means for moving the clamping means into clamping engagement with the transtransfer mechanism operable between the spaced conveying elements of said conveyors for transferring groups of cut slices from said slow moving conveyor to said fast moving conveyor comprising slice supporting plates normally located below the cut slices deposited on said slow moving conveyor, a slice clamping means carried by said transfer mechanism comprising rod members in operative relation with said slice supporting plates for maintaining the cut slices in prearranged relationship during transfer, means for moving said rod members into clamping engagement with said supporting plates during movement of the transfer mechanism from the slow moving conveyor to the fast moving conveyor and means for imparting transfer movement to said transfer mechanism.

14. In a slice receiving and conveying mechanism for slicing machines including a slow moving slice receiving conveyor and a fast moving delivery conveyor having spaced conveying elements, a transfer mechanism for transferring groups of cut slices from said slow moving conveyor to said fast moving conveyor, said transfer mechanism comprising a plurality of spaced supports operable between said conveying elements and drive means for said conveyors and said transfer mechanism, a slice clamping means carried by said transfer mechanism comprisinga plurality of rods in spaced relation with said supports and operable from-a common shaft for maintaining the cut slices in prearranged relationship during transfer and means for actuating said shaft whereby to move said'rods into clamping engagement with said supports during movement of the transfer mechanism from the slow moving conveyor to the fast moving conveyor.

15. In a slice receiving and conveying mechanism for slicing machines including. a slow moving slice receiving conveyor and a fast moving delivery conveyor having spaced conveying elements, a transfer mechanism for transferring groups of cut slices from said slow moving conveyor to said fast moving conveyor, said transfer mechanism comprising a plurality of spaced supports operable between said conveying elements and drive means for said conveyors and said transfer mechanism, a slice clamping means carried by said transfer mechanism comprising a plurality of rods in spaced relation with said supports and operable from a common shaft for maintaining the cut slices in prearranged relationship during transfer and means for actuating said shaft whereby to move said rods into clamping engagement with said supports during movement of the transfer mechanismfrom the .slow moving conveyor to the fast moving conveyor and for releasing said clamping means upon deposit of the slices on said fast moving conveyor.

15. A slice receiving and conveying mechanism for slicing machines including a conveying means comprising a series of slow moving conveyor elements in operative relation with a series of fast moving conveyor elements, drive means for said conveying means and a transfer mechanism for transferring a group of cut slices from one of said conveyor elements to the other of said conveyor elements, said transfer mechanism comprising a parallel motion device having links movable backwardly and forwardly and upwardly and downwardly, slice supporting plates arranged on said parallel motion device in operative relation with each of said conveyor elements and means comprising rotating cams for moving the links of the parallel motion device upwardly and downwardly and backwardly and forwardly.

'17. A slice receiving and conveying mechanism for slicing machines including a conveying means comprising a series of spaced narrow chains alternately arranged to form a slow moving group and a fast moving group, said fast moving group being inclined from a plane below to a plane above the slow moving group between the slice receiving end and delivery end of said conveying means, drive means for said conveying means and a transfer mechanism for transferring a group of cut slices from the slow moving group to the fast moving group of conveyor elements, said transfer mechanism comprising a parallel motion device having links movable backwardly and forwardly and upwardly and downwardly, slice supporting plates arranged on said parallel motion device in operative relation with each of said groups of conveyor elements and means comprising rotating cams for moving the links of the parallel motion device upwardly and downwardly and backwardly and forwardly.

18. A slice receiving and conveying mechanism for slicing machines including a conveying means comprising a series of spaced narrow chains alternately arranged to form a slow moving group and a fast moving group, said fast moving group being inclined from a plane below to a plane above the slow moving group between the slice receiving end and delivery end of said conveying means, drive means for said conveying means and a transfer mechanism for transferring a group of cut slices from the slow moving group to the fast moving group of conveyor elements, said transfer mechanism comprising a parallel motion device having links movable backwardly and forwardly and upwardly and downwardly, slice supporting plates arranged on said parallel motion device in operative relation with each of said groups of conveyor elements, means comprising rotating cams for moving the links of the parallel motion device upwardly and downwardly and backwardly and forwardly, a slice clamping means carried by said transfer mechanism and means for moving the clamping means in clamping engagement with the slice supporting plates during movement of the transfer mechanism from the slow movin roup to the fast moving group of the conveyor elements.

19. A slice receiving and conveying mechanism for slicing machines including a conveying means comprising a series of slow moving conveyor elements in operative relation with a series of fast moving conveyor elements, drive means for said conveying means and a transfer mechanismfor transferring a group of, cut slices from one of said conveyor elements to the other of said conveyor" elements, said transfer mechanism comprising a parallel motion device having links movable backwardly and forwardly and upwardly and downwardly, slice supporting plates arranged on said parallel motion device in operative relation with each of said conveyor elements and means comprising rotating cams for moving the links of the parallel motion device upwardly and downwardly and backwardly and forwardly, a slice clamping means carried by said transfer mechanism means for moving the clamping means in clamping engagement with the slice supporting plates during movement of the transfer mechanism from the slow moving group to the fast moving group of the conveyor elements and means for imparting transfer movement to said transfer mechan sm.

20. In a slice receiving and conveying mecha-' comprising a series of slow moving conveyor ele-.

ments in operative relation with a series of fast moving conveyor elements, said slow moving conveyor elements being arranged to receive slices cut by a knife, drive means for said conveying means, a support normally located below the out slices deposited on the slow moving conveyor elements, means for moving the support upwardly for lifting a group of slices from the slow moving conveyor elements, means for moving the support in the direction of the movement of the conveying elements at a greater speed than the slow moving conveyor elements, means for moving the support downwardly to redeposit the group of slices on the fast moving conveyor elements, means for returning the support to itsv normal position, slice clamping means carried by the support and means for moving the slice clamping means in clamping engagement with the support during movement of the transfer mechanism from the slow moving conveyor elements to the fast moving conveyor elements.

21. In a slice receiving and conveying mechanism for slicing machines including a pair of relatively movable conveyors having spaced conveying elements, a transfer mechanism operable between the conveying elements of the conveyors for transferring groups of cut slices from one conveyor to the other and. drive means for the conveyors and the transfer mechanism, a slice clamping means carried by the transfer mechanismfor maintaining the cut slices in prearranged relationship during transfer and means for moving the clamping means into clamping engagement with the cut slices carried on the transfer mechanism.

22. In a slice receiving and conveying mechanism for slicing machines including a relatively movable slow moving conveyor and fast moving conveyor having spaced conveying elements, a transfer mechanism operable between the conveying elements of the conveyors for transferring groups of cut slices from one conveyor to the other and drive means for the conveyors and the transfer mechanism, a slice clamping means carried by the transfer mechanism for maintaining the cut slices in prearranged relationship during transfer and means for moving the clamping means into clamping engagement with the cut slices carried on the transfer mechanism.

23. In a slice receiving and conveying mechanism for slicing machines including a relatively movable slow moving conveyor and fast movingconveyor having spaced conveying elements, a

transfer mechanism operable between the conconveyor having spaced conveying elements, a

transfer mechanism operable between the conveying elements of the conveyors for transferring groups of out slices from one conveyor to the other and drive means for the conveyors and the 0 transfer mechanism, a slice clamping means com; prising a series of spaced rod members carried on the transfer mechanism and pivotally connected for movement as a unit relative to the transfer mechanism for maintaining the cut slices in prearranged relationship during transfer and meansfor moving the clamping means into clamping engagement with the cut slices carried on the transfer mechanism.

25. In a slice receiving and conveying mechanism for slicing machines including a relatively movable slow moving conveyor and fast moving conveyor having spaced conveying elements, a transfer mechanism operable between the conveying elements of the conveyors for transferring groups of cut slices from one conveyor to the other and drive means for the conveyors and the transfer mechanism, a slice clamping means comprising a shaft pivotally carried on the transfer mechanism and provided with radially extending spaced rod members adapted for pivotal movement relative to the transfer mechanism for maintaining the cut slices in prearranged relationship during transfer and means including a sprlng-tensioned lever and crank arm operatively connected with the shaft for moving the clamping means into clamping engagement with the cut slices carried on the transfer mechanism.

26. In a slice receiving and conveying mechanism for slicing machines including a. relatively movable slow'moving conveyor and fast moving conveyor having spaced conveying elements and drive means for the conveyors, a transfer mechanism including slice supporting plates operable .between the conveying elements of the conveyors for transferring groups of cut slices from one conveyor to the other, a clamping means carried by the transfer mechanism including-a series of rod members pivotally connected for movement as a unit relative to the supporting plates for maintaining the cut slices in prearranged relationship during transfer, means for moving the rod members into clamping engagement with the cut slices carried on the supporting plates and means for imparting transfer movement to the transfer mechanism.

-27. In a slice receiving and conveying mechanism for slicing machines including a relatively movable slow moving conveyor and fast moving conveyor having spaced conveying elements and drive means for the conveyors, a transfer mech-v anism including slice supporting plates operable between the conveying elements of the conveyors for transferring groups of cut slices from one conveyor to the other, a slice clamping means comprising a shaft pivotally carried on the transfer mechanism and provided with a series of radially extending spaced rod members adapted for pivotal movement relative to the slice supporting plates for maintaining the slices in prearranged relationship during transfer, means including a spring-tensioned lever and crank arm operatively connected with the shaft for moving the clamping means into clamping engagement with the cut slices carried on the transfer mechv anism and means for imparting transfer movement to the transfer mechanism.

28. In a slice receiving and conveying mechanism including apair of relativelymovable conveyors having spaced conveying elements and drive means for the conveyors, a transfer mechanism for transferring groups of cut slices from one conveyor to the other comprising a parallel motion device having links movable backwardly and forwardly and upwardly and downwardly, slice supporting plates operatively arranged on the parallel motion device for movement between the conveying elements of the conveyors and means including rotatable cams for moving the links of the parallel motion device upwardly and downwardly and backwardly and forwardly.

CHARLES T. WALTER.

' osn'rzr curs of 'connfic'rron.

Patent Ne. 2,073,0e. March .9, 1937.

crumtss 'r. WALTER. I

It is hereby certified that the name of the assignee in the above numbered patent was erroneously describedand specified as "Industrial Products Corporation" whereas said name should have beendescri'bed and specified as Industrial Patents Corporation, of Chicago, Illinois;

a corporation of'Delaware; in the grant, line 13, strike out ."Charles '1'. Walter, his heirs" and insert instead Industrial Patents Corporation, its successors; and that the said Letters Patent vshould. 'be read with these corrections therein that the same mayv conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. Signed andsealed this 20th. day of April, A. D. 1937.

, Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) 7 Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

